Watch Norah Jones Praise Social Protest in ‘Flipside’ Video

Norah Jones observes the importance of social protest with her vivid video for “Flipside.” Director Sam Kuhn zooms in on the singer-songwriter’s mesmerized, color-saturated face as she watches footage of Americans protesting throughout history – from the Sixties civil rights movement to present-day Black Lives Matter demonstrations.

Jones’ bluesy, tense track taps into similar themes of protest and social justice. “I can’t stand when you tell me to get back,” she sings over driving piano and rippling Hammond organ. “If we’re all free, then why does it seem / We can’t just be?” Later on, she warns, “Put the guns away or we’re all gonna lose.”

“Flipside” highlights Jones’ sixth solo LP, 2016’s Day Breaks, which Rolling Stone named one of the year’s 50 Best Albums. In our recent interview with the singer, Jones said the song was inspired by Les McCann’s influential 1969 track “Compared to What” – both for its groove and political relevance – and the chaotic world events of recent years.

“The refugee stuff in Europe, gun violence in our country, terrorist attacks, the tension between the police and the African-American community and people getting shot – this last year’s been intense,” she said.